2026 NRL Team of the Season

Photo: Getty Images

With the 2026 NRL regular season reaching the end, the debate over who deserves a place in the Team of the Season is heating up.

There have been superstar performances, breakout campaigns and players who have quietly become absolutely essential to their teams.

This is my NRL Team of the Season, based on individual performances, consistency and impact throughout the 2026 campaign so far.

• Stats could change slightly post round 26.

Fullback: Sualauvi Faalogo — Melbourne Storm

Sualauvi Faalogo gets the No.1 jersey after producing one of the most dangerous attacking seasons of any fullback in the competition.

The Storm star has scored 17 tries and produced 15 try assists, while also recording 23 line breaks, 130 tackle breaks and 4,491 running metres. Averaging an incredible 195 metres per game, Faalogo has combined his natural attacking ability with consistently huge involvement.

Why I picked him: He has been one of the competition's most exciting players and has the attacking numbers to match the highlights.

Winger: Thomas Jenkins — Penrith Panthers

Thomas Jenkins has been one of the stories of the season.

The Panthers flyer has scored an incredible 28 tries in 23 appearances, while also producing 31 line breaks, 90 tackle breaks and 4,446 running metres. His 28 tries have him among the competition's elite finishers, while his workload from the backfield makes him far more than just a try-scorer.

Why I picked him: Twenty-eight tries is impossible to ignore. Jenkins has been one of the most productive players in the NRL.

Centre: Simi Sasagi — Canberra Raiders

Simi Sasagi's versatility and all-round game have made him one of the most impressive players of 2026.

Despite playing just 15 matches, Sasagi has scored seven tries, produced 10 line breaks and nine line-break assists, while averaging 177 running metres per game. His ability to break tackles, create opportunities and cover multiple positions makes him a nightmare to play against.

Why I picked him: His impact when on the field has been exceptional, and his versatility gives this team another attacking weapon.

Centre: Herbie Farnworth — Dolphins

Herbie Farnworth has once again shown why he is the best centre in rugby league.

In 22 appearances, Farnworth has scored 12 tries and created seven more, while producing 12 line breaks and a massive 143 tackle breaks. He has also run for 3,714 metres, averaging 168 metres per game.

Why I picked him: Few centres can match his combination of power, footwork, creativity and consistency.

Winger: Selwyn Cobbo — Dolphins

Selwyn Cobbo's first season with the Dolphins has been outstanding.

Cobbo has scored 17 tries in just 18 games, alongside 23 line breaks and 3,344 running metres at an average of 185 metres per game. His ability to finish chances and make metres has made him one of the most destructive outside backs in the competition.

Why I picked him: Seventeen tries in 18 games speaks for itself. Cobbo has been a genuine game-breaker.

Five-Eighth: Braydon Trindall — Cronulla Sharks

Braydon Trindall has been one of the best playmakers in the NRL this season.

The Sharks star has produced an incredible 30 try assists, putting him at the top of the competition in that category. He has also recorded 21 line-break assists, 23 forced drop-outs and nine tries.

Why I picked him: Trindall has been the competition's most productive creator. Thirty try assists is an unbelievable return.

Halfback: Nathan Cleary — Penrith Panthers

Nathan Cleary remains rugby league's best player.

In 20 appearances, Cleary has produced 27 try assists and 22 line-break assists, scored six tries, kicked 89 goals and averaged an enormous 524.9 kicking metres per game.

Why I picked him: Cleary's influence extends far beyond his statistics. His game management, kicking and ability to control matches make him the obvious No.7.

Prop: Naufahu Whyte — Sydney Roosters

Naufahu Whyte has developed into one of the competition's most consistent middle forwards.

He has played 23 games, run for 4,003 metres, averaged 174 metres per game and made 545 tackles. Whyte has also produced 68 tackle breaks and 26 offloads, showing that he offers far more than simply making metres through the middle.

Why I picked him: Consistent, powerful and increasingly influential. Whyte has been a huge part of the Roosters' pack.

Hooker: Blayke Brailey — Cronulla Sharks

Blayke Brailey has put together another outstanding season as one of the NRL's most reliable hookers.

In 19 appearances, he has created 15 tries and 13 line breaks, while making 743 tackles. He has been crucial to Cronulla's attack and provides enormous defensive work through the middle.

Why I picked him: His combination of creativity, durability and defensive workload makes him the standout hooker in my team.

Prop: Jackson Ford — New Zealand Warriors

Jackson Ford has been one of the competition's most underrated forwards this season.

Despite playing just 14 games, Ford has run for 2,255 metres, averaging an enormous 161 metres per game, while making 576 tackles. He has also scored four tries and produced 10 offloads.

Why I picked him: His numbers are remarkable for a forward. Ford has been a workhorse and deserves recognition.

Second Row: Heilum Luki — North Queensland Cowboys

Heilum Luki has produced one of the best attacking seasons of any edge forward.

The Cowboys star has scored 11 tries, produced 13 line breaks and made a huge 903 tackles across 23 appearances. He has also run for 2,418 metres.

Why I picked him: Luki combines an incredible defensive workload with genuine try-scoring ability.

Second Row: Haumole Olakau'atu — Manly Sea Eagles

Haumole Olakau'atu is one of the most destructive edge forwards in the NRL and his 2026 numbers show exactly why.

In 20 games, he has scored nine tries, produced 13 line breaks, made 502 tackles and run for 3,531 metres, averaging 176 metres per game.

Why I picked him: When healthy, Olakau'atu is almost impossible to stop. His combination of power and athleticism is unmatched among many edge forwards.

Lock: Max Plath — Dolphins

Max Plath completes my starting 13 after another hugely impressive season.

In 18 appearances, Plath has made 622 tackles, scored four tries and produced 40 tackle breaks. His defensive work rate and ability to cover positions make him one of the most valuable forwards in the competition.

Why I picked him: He might not always grab the headlines, but Plath consistently does the hard work and has become a crucial part of the Dolphins' success.

The Interchange

14. Kodi Nikorima — Dolphins

Kodi Nikorima has been one of the most creative players in the competition.

Across 20 appearances, he has produced 16 try assists and 23 line-break assists, while also making 431 tackles. His versatility makes him the perfect player to have on the bench.

Why I picked him: He can change a game instantly and cover multiple positions.

15. Erin Clark — New Zealand Warriors

Erin Clark has been a workhorse for the Warriors.

He has played 23 games, made 618 tackles, run for 3,090 metres, produced 37 tackle breaks and 22 offloads, and scored six tries.

Why I picked him: One of the most reliable middle forwards in the competition and a player who consistently does the tough work.

16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki — Dolphins

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has continued to develop into one of the most exciting young forwards in the NRL.

In 22 games, he has made 800 tackles, run for 3,336 metres at an average of 151 metres per game, and scored three tries.

Why I picked him: His combination of defensive workload and running ability makes him an ideal interchange forward.

17. Tallis Duncan — South Sydney Rabbitohs

Tallis Duncan has been outstanding for South Sydney.

He has scored 12 tries in 21 games, alongside 16 line breaks, 10 line-break assists, 16 offloads and 512 tackles.

Why I picked him: His attacking production for a forward has been phenomenal, while he still provides plenty of work in defence.

18. Dylan Lucas — Newcastle Knights

Dylan Lucas narrowly misses out on the starting side but has had an outstanding season.

In 16 appearances, he has scored 10 tries, produced nine line breaks, made 600 tackles and run for 1,949 metres.

Why I picked him: One of the most impressive forwards of the season and incredibly dangerous close to the line.

19. Sam Walker — Sydney Roosters

Sam Walker completes my squad after another highly productive season.

Walker has scored 10 tries, produced 21 try assists and 20 line-break assists, while kicking 77 goals and forcing 21 drop-outs.

Why I picked him: Leaving Walker out of the 17 was difficult. His creativity and attacking influence have been among the best in the NRL.

My NRL Team of the Season

Who would make your NRL Team of the Season? Who have I left out? 👇